DIM DITEY (The Children’s Home) is a non-for-profit institution which offers educational and social support to children through an innovative after school hours program.

The centre was established in 2002 in Nyvky, to the north-west of Kiev, with the purpose of serving Kiev’s vulnerable kids by keeping them off the streets in a healthy and safe environment and by educating them.

It currently operates at capacity with 200 registered kids. Where possible, educational and other support is provided to some of the kid’s moms. Moms also act as volunteers in a variety of tasks.

Kids come from a range of economic backgrounds, including kids from broken and troubled families, orphans, as well as kids from humble families and kids which were displaced due to the current military conflict in Eastern Ukraine. All of them are treated fairly and equally, and receive the support which their families or the state might not always be able to provide.

Dim Ditey relies on several teachers (which are paid a small salary) and volunteers to help kids complete their homework and to teach them languages, theatre, chess, music, and other subjects. The centre includes a small ecological garden, a functions area, several playgrounds, and every kid is provided with an afternoon snack which prevents any of them from going to sleep hungry at night.

Additionally, the center helps coordinate a summer program where disadvantaged kids are sent to Spanish families during the summer free of charge. This has proven to be very beneficial for their intellectual and personal development. During 2017, c. 35 spent their summer in with Spanish families.

Although the center is run by three retired Christian Catholic missionary sisters (which cover a good amount of overheads with their pension), kids from all religious backgrounds are welcome, and no-one is forced to practice any religion. The bulk of kids come from Christian Orthodox families, and some from Christian Catholic, Protestant, or Atheist families. The centre has also hosted kids from Jewish and Muslim families in the past.

I personally know a great success story. My “cousin” Ivan, who spent many summers with my uncles in Northern Spain, was an orphan which greatly benefited from Dim Ditey’s support. He is now an exemplary young man. Other EBRD employees also know other cases personally.

Furthermore, I am only presenting this initiative after having checked in person how the institution works and the level of efficiency achieved. Every donation goes a long way in Dim Ditey!

I have a target to fundraise c. GBP 5k in the UK, to be added to what has already been collected in Ukraine and Spain. If matched by EBRD’s Community Initiative(1), the total amount collected will be doubled!

Besides a monetary contribution, I am also seeking to help the centre find additional support by (i) developing some marketing materials, (ii) reaching out to embassies and corporates in Kiev, and (iii) mobilizing volunteers among Kiev’s foreign community (a great potential source of native language teachers). If you feel you want to get involved in any other way (i.e. volunteering during your summer break) please let me know! Similarly, if you have any experience helping organizations with succession planning, I will be interested to hear from you.

Last but not least, if you know of anyone (or any institution) looking to make a large donation who is struggling to find the right project, please put me in touch!

Happy to answer any questions and to organize site visits if you want to see the project yourself!

Thank you for your trust and generosity! Alfonso (reinaa@ebrd.com)

(1) Disclaimer: EBRD Community Initiative support subject to EBRD Community Initiative team receiving valid and sufficient documents from the fundraising team once the fundraising campaign is completed.